One of the upsides of moving is that you are forced to sort through your belongings when you get started with the packing process. It can be an arduous process, we know, but by working out what you do and don’t need, you will reduce some of the stresses associated with moving and stress on moving day itself.
For one, you will have less to carry with you, so you won’t have to pay the excess fees some moving companies might charge. And two, you will have less to unpack when you get to your new home and you won’t have to struggle with storage.
So, what do you do with your clutter?
Well, first of all, work out what you want to keep. These are the items you can safely start packing away into boxes, and for some of your larger items, you might want to consider the services of a self-storage company.
And for those items that are surplus to requirements, here are a few ideas on getting rid of them before moving day.
#1: Have a garage sale
For those items that are worth selling, consider the advantages of a garage sale. Not only will you be able to get rid of stuff quickly, but you won’t have to pay the shipping costs that would be required when selling online.
Post pictures of the things you will be selling on local Facebook groups, invite your friends and neighbours to the sale, and watch your clutter disappear. Check out these tips for a successful garage sale to ensure everything goes smoothly.
#2: Sell your items online
If you can’t be bothered with a garage sale, or if you want other ideas for selling your unwanted items, look for the relevant sites online. You could list your old clothes on eBay or at clothesbank.co.uk, for example, and your old CDs and DVDs at musicmagpie.com or other similar websites.
For your books, you might opt for webuybooks.co.uk, or you could sell nearly anything at Amazon or through your local online classified sites. Just remember to price up your items to give you a chance at making a profit through the sales.
#3: Give items away
Charity shops are always looking for people’s unwanted items, as they will have the opportunity to sell them to others. The local schools might benefit from some of the kids’ books you want to get rid of, especially if they have been forced to make cuts in their libraries.
Your local hospital might be glad of any children’s toys you have, as they can be placed in the children’s ward. And you might know people in your street, or within your friend and family groups who could make use of some of your unwanted items. So, rather than selling them on, be charitable, and think about the needs of others.
#4: Recycle your junk
If you have items that are no good to anybody, don’t just put them in the trash. Think about the environment and dispose of them properly. Use your recycling bins at home, or find local drop-off sites for old fabrics, batteries, electronic items, and other items that are recyclable.
Thanks for reading, and good luck with your move!
